Anxiety treatment with Neurofeedback
Anxiety treatment was amongst the first discoveries in the field of biofeedback. Through simple feedback of respiratory activity people were able to control their breathing pattern and reduce the symptoms of anxiety.
Anxiety disorders come in vast range of shapes and forms. Some people experience only mild discomfort and agitation which is limited to certain situations and stimuli, such as open or closed spaces or a specific trigger.
In extreme cases, anxiety can be 'free-floating' - also known as generalized anxiety disorder.
Such individuals find it almost impossible to relax during most of their waking hours. Their bodies can be in constant state of tension and their minds can feel agitated and restless.
Another component of anxiety disorder takes place in the form of Panic attacks. These can last from minutes to sometimes hours. During such episodes people find it difficult to breath and can collapse.
At times such attacks can be mistaken for a cardiac illness and can be quite frightening for people experiencing them, as well as for someone who witnesses them.
Anxiolytic or anti-anxiety drugs have been used for a long time for the treatment of anxiety. Commonly used drugs in the past were various benzodiazepines, such as Valium or Xanax.
More recently a number of antidepressant drugs have gained license in anxiety disorder treatment. In some severe cases antipsychotics or 'major tranquilisers' are used to treat anxiety states.
While anxiolytics often give people a quite quick relief from the symptoms of anxiety, they are becoming less popular amongst health professionals - due to their addictive potential.
Many people find themselves becoming dependent upon them after a short period of use. Coming off such drugs can be quite challenging.
Anxiety and alcohol abuse can also be closely related due to alcohol's effect in reducing anxiety levels. With time anxiety sufferers discover themselves addicted to substances leading to further deterioration in the qualities of their lives.
Anxiety treatment using EEG biofeedback is tailored according to the individual's needs. Much of the early research on brain waves showed that certain brain waves called 'Beta waves' were prominent in people with anxious thinking and high stress levels.
'Alpha waves' on the other hand become predominant as the individual relaxes while remaining alert. Alpha wave training is often used to relieve the deep seated emotional and behavioural patterns such as alcoholism and PTSD.
Brain training with EEG biofeedback promotes relaxed and calmer states within the brain. People find themselves mellow, more able to focus and concentrate, clear headed and more productive. Their dependence on drugs becomes reduced and often leaves them completely.
Mental patterns and neural activity
(a dissertation on Information processing mechanism of the brain).
Research on major depression, alcoholism and anxiety with Neurofeedback
